Long Term Care ...We can't wait for Government to solve this problem.

In October 2023 , Island Health and the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District announced a new long term care (LTC) facility to be built in Lantzville. The press release stated "The new building will bring a total of 306 long-term care beds to the region, including a 20-bed hospice unit and a 26-bed specialized population unit. The new care home is designed to have four main buildings, each containing six “households” that will include single bedrooms with ensuite washrooms. Residents will share social and recreational spaces, such as a dining room, outdoor spaces and lounge areas. The 26-bed specialized unit will support individuals requiring long-term care and specialized services, such as young adults or those experiencing challenges related to a traumatic brain injury, mental-health or substance-use issues. The care home will include a hair salon, space for activities and special events, a 37-space child care facility and space for an adult day program to assist people to live independently in the community while receiving services to support their health and well-being.

The capital cost of the project is estimated to be $286 million and will be funded jointly between the Province through Island Health with a $171.5-million investment, and the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District with a $114-million investment. The facility will be built, owned and operated by Island Health. "

It all sounds very nice, but when will it actually be built?

Recently the Nanaimo News interviewed Diane McKay, chief project officer for long term care for Island Health for an update on the project. McKay confirmed that rising costs forced Island Health to produce new plans for the large facility. The health authority acknowledged an initial projection of completing construction in 2027 won’t be met and that Island Health have completely re-designed the site and the building to make it more efficient on the site and reduce the associated costs.

Island Health now envisions the care home complex to feature two, six-storey towers (increased from four 3 storey buildings) on a reduced footprint, as opposed to the initial plan of several smaller buildings. Upward density and a more efficient floor plan will allow for a more optimized clinical workflow, McKay said, who emphasized the prior approved business plan of 306 care beds is not being changed. Island Health envisions 20 households with each such household containing 14 living units.

“We’re trying to make it as homelike as possible, so when people come, they’ve got their own resident room and ensuite bathroom, but they’ve still got a sense of community by having shared dining, living, community and art spaces.” Representing far more than a retirement home, hospice care, childcare and adult day programing will also be offered. A hair salon, corner store hobby shop and Indigenous sacred space are other planned amenities.

In addition to obtaining necessary approvals from the District of Lantzville, their revised design and final cost estimates still require endorsements from Island Health’s capital project board and the B.C. government. McKay indicated "if we get started next year the likely completion of construction would be more likely either late 2028 or some time in 2029.”

My take on this is, that the project is delayed a further two years not withstanding that various reports indicate additional LTC beds are needed now and wait times can be well over 290 days. I don't believe that Government is providing the necessary healthcare supports with sufficient urgency and hence supporting those who wish to offer a private facility will help to ease the overall strain in the system.

We are fortunate to have a private company with ties to our community that wants to invest further in our community, to build a LTC facility right here in our town, not some 35K down the road. The Care Group, (TCG) have proposed a new facility at the old college road site, which is one of the few institutional zoned sites in our town. The project will be going before council in October and I personally am hoping our town council can move this project along without unnecessary hurdles. You can show your support for this project by emailing your Mayor and Council or by completing a support ballot on TCG website. Links for both are provided below.

I have no affiliation, financial or otherwise with The Care Group. As a community, I think we should support these service providers that many of us will rely on as we reach our later years.

Marie Noel

September 20 2025

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Learn more about the dire need for these services in the seniors advocate report here.